The bridge was constructed during the first century AD to facilitate trade and transport within the Roman colony of Vasio Vocontiorum.
The structure relies on the bedrock of the Ouvèze River for its foundation, which is why it has withstood major seismic activity and flood events.
During the 1992 Ouvèze flood, which destroyed parts of the town, the bridge remained structurally sound despite the river rising above the deck.
The bridge's masonry was executed using dry-stone techniques, where heavy blocks were fitted together with precise geometry rather than cement.
It is one of the few Roman bridges in the world still used for daily transit in a contemporary urban setting.
The stones forming the arch are original, showing marks consistent with Roman-era quarrying methods used in the Vaucluse department.
The Roman Bridge in Vaison-la-Romaine is a first-century stone structure that remains functional for pedestrian traffic across the Ouvèze River. It is built directly onto the river's bedrock, utilizing a single 17-meter-wide arch that has survived nearly 2,000 years of flooding and heavy use. The bridge serves as a primary link between the modern lower town and the medieval upper town, La Haute-Ville. Its construction consists of massive stone blocks laid without mortar, characteristic of Roman engineering techniques in the Provence region. The bridge survived a devastating 1992 flood that submerged much of the surrounding area, proving the durability of its original design. It is officially classified as a Monument Historique in France.
From the river bank on the downstream side to capture the full arch and the bridge's reflection.
Walk across to the Medieval Haute-Ville side to view the bridge from the lower river banks.
Visit during the evening to see the stone illuminated against the dark riverbed.
Combine your walk with a visit to the nearby Roman archaeological sites of Puymin and La Villasse.
Do not attempt to climb or walk along the external edge of the stone parapets.
